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Of »»'>»»■■ "■! ■ II n ■■»■
vuiu.cc. Kummonioc.
vnnrisn i.
The Man Who Dared.
The o9nal starter tot tto raised
sr.i fan and leased forward, peering
nooue the blended glare and dart sees
WUir be shouted, above tbs yd
s-s-tag roar of tbo stoves r sc lag bv
i. ms land up before tbe Judges'
•usd. -What?"
There waa a Barry around tbe ces
tr» car, wboee driver leaned from bis
sea: to s'are down at tbe staa who
L 1 slipped from beside him te tbe
ground. Tbe groat crowd congesting
tt* grand-stand pressed closer to tbo
bs' ter. staring also, commenting and
co* jr taring.
tbo morhaslrton at tbs Mercury to
oT bis ear!* • *•
I'slated—“
lea—"
-TW sutomobOoa hadnt started; bo
tausl be Mck." - • *
Tbe referee waa already pushing his
• ay beck, bringing the report tram
tbe hastily summoned surgeon
"Mean disease” be announced right
and l« ft Slaton's lerdisaMto Just
dropped ol bis seat. dead. ‘^’”T
Be s sb'o* Mmself bed ■ already
•sang oat of Ha car. «Mb the ener
gr • decision (bat ms:bad big ovary
a ■ cement.
sun Is oat.” be tersely stated
i be scarier. "I've got to run ever
• ut ramp and get another. Win
yoc bold tbe start far mo?”
Tbo question waa rather a demand
-aa a leanest. There was scarcely
one sfuocg tbe vast sndleaoe who
would not base felt tbetopaSMt gons
fr.ua this strong bla.k wine of sport
t t ry bad route So aip. if Ralph Stanton
lad bees withdrawn front tbdtwenty
f- ur hour roe test. He bad sot-only
fame as a skilful and actootlBc rbcer;
be bad the reputation of Icing tbs
moo* spectacwtorty rrcfttsm driver la
America, •boss death could be but a
question of time and whose record of
accidents and victories verged oa tbs
availing. H# knew his value as an
at faction, sad tbs sinner knew R.
although preserving impassivity.
~Klvv minutes,” tbe eScial cos
ceded. and drew out bis watch.
Already a stream of men were run
ning toward tbo Mercwry camp with
Use nows. Stanton sprang into bis
a^chiae. deftly aeat it forward out of
the lias, and aba* around into tbe en
frame to tbo huge oval Betd edged by
Beach track; a mile of white rib
U>a bordering a greea medallion.
The row of electric-lighted tents.
«.(b numbered aad named for Its own
rising car. man la a turmoil of excite
ment. Bat moat agitated was tbs
• oup before tbo teat marked 1.
Mercwry.”
I*1 rand a down and oat—give mu
*:.«.fc«r man." railed St an toe. baiting
k»» txday. Hawing car. Quick, you—’
l'-"’ no one stepped forward from
Lx --tr of factory mm and me
ena—rg Oaly the seals taut manager
?' tW Mefeary company responded
: h> the drttiand:
Yea. go; one of you toys. Ill make
■ it right wltb yoa. Yoa. Jones."
“I'm married, air." refused Joaee
- suo tatly "
■HdL you then. Walters. Good
Lv-amws. man' what do you iseaa?"
f'w <be Nil} Walters hacked away.
W<a*Ur pale
Hi dig potatoes, first, air."
bf. yoa used to race?"
Not wltb Stanton, sir."
• -rV* was a loo murmur of «.ppro
*aJ atuo:.g ban mates, mod a drawing
tugetbaf fwt support. liiac on slagged
dwwa from h<s car. snatching eff his
aiaak to shag a dark, strong faou
grim with angkr ^cd vontempt.
Yoa wneiched. hickboneleaa cow
etdai" ho buried It them. his b!ua
hiack eyes flanking over the group.
~Uo yoa know a hat 1 and tbs com
paay «uad to lose if l a disqualify*
for lack of one of you Jellyfith to sit
kealde am and pump oil? Isn't them
a mna la the camp? IH give nfty doh
Ur» myself to the one who goes, a
hundred U I win."
promise twice that." eagerly
•apt teseated G«wea. the assistant
manager. He had private beta oa
-No* om of tho clustered workmen
’iMma Tom'.~ pronoonred the driver,
Wtwrty sod comprehensively. Ill re
peat tkat offer to iko man wko will
C* lor rko first three boars only, and
meanwhile well send to New York
and find a rwd-Mowdod male."
snook their hands.
'%a? Ton won't ? Yon work your
miserable bodies three months to earn
what 1 offer for thrwe hoars. W’Lat’a
the matter with yon. don t 1 rink my
mk*" Ha urrasd. sending his pow
effwl voice ringing down the Mnc.
“Here, kwwt the paddmk. all of roo
ts# hondrod dollars for a man to rids
tfee naat three hoars with me'*’
“Vow cant take a man tram another
rxmp. Stanton" protested the fmatic
Kr. Glean. **Ua might Ufdk yon. hart
tho ear "
Hts appeal wont down tho wind an
racar'n rieaaalng ay as.
swaying. MffMfe tmpeUenoa. Tho
paddock was to as nprosr. the Mar
ne volunteers an swam 4 (ha cnIL Tho
Vesting machine. bi hood wrapped la
Jala at violet tarns. kuiJ(bu and
-.m: Urhis ahaddlng rtvld Ulurni nation
. roc: d the ffta* o* ‘*s tasked smstar.
to'oci wi h leiw-eM ills and
*• r. ;ih. TUiUsa < • a tit on stood,
v* .k Is hand, kin !aoo a s*( stady to
"Four minutes,” panted the despair
ing assistant manager. “Stanton—"
Some on# vas running toward them,
some one for whom a lane was opened
by the spectators from other cam pa
who had congregated.
"Gel aboard." called ahead a fresh
young voice. “Get aboard; I'll go.”
“Thank Heaven for a man!’* snarled
Stanton, as the runner dashed up,
“Why, It’s s boy!"
"Floyd." Mr. Green hailed hysterical
ly. “Ton 11 go r
"111 go,” assured Floyd, and faced
the driver; a slim, youthful figure In
a mechanic's blue overalls, his sleeves
rolled to the elbows and leaving bare
his slender arms; his head, covered
like a girl's with soft closely cropped
curling brown hair, tilted back as his
steady gray eyes looked up at Stan
ton.
. „“You? Tea couldn’t crank a taxi
cab," Bung the*bacer, brutal witb dls
efpolatmeat and wrath. "You'd goT
A boy?"
“!m as old as the driver of tha
finger car, and Scant five years young
er thaa you—I'm twenty-one,” flashed
the retort. "And 1 know all there la
about gacottfte cars. 1 guess you’rs
big enough to drank your own motor
aren't you. If I can't? You've got
thirty seconds lsft; do you want me?"
Met on bis own tone. Stanton
rasped, then caught his mask from
the men who held !t.t
“Why don't you get on your
clothes?’’ be demanded savagely.
"Are you going to race like that?
Jump, you useless eowsrds there-—
can't you pass klm his things? Tele
phone the stand that I'm coming, some
cne."
There was a wild scurry of prepara
tion. the telephone bell jingled madly.
“Jes Floyd Is ons of our new factory
men.” hurried Mr. Green, In breathless
explanation, as Stanton took his seat
"He’s a gas-engine wonder—he knows
them like a clock—be tuned- vp this
car you've got, this morning—"
The klaxon brayed agata. A trim ap
parition In racing costum# darted
from the tent to swing Into the nar
row seat beside the driver, and Stan
ton's car leaped for the paddock exit
with a roar answered by the deafen
ing roar of welcome from the specta
tors.
“Seven minutes." snapped the start
er, as the Mercury wheeled In lice.
Stanton shrugged Ids shoulders with
I . m *'%.<%■ * ’*"*
*
Stanton Stood, Watch in Hand, Hla
Face a Sat Study tn Scorn.
wpreat indifference, perfectly aware
of bia security, since the start had
uot beea made. But his mechanician
leaned forward with a tittle gurgle of
Irresistible, sanshot laughter.
"Don't worry," he besought. “Really,
well get in seven minutes ahead.”
His mocking young voice carried
above the terrific din of the eleven
huge machines, and Stanton turned
, upon him, nmased and irritated at the
audacity. Tbe starter also stared.
Just ss a flashlight flared up and
showed fully the young gray eyes
dancing behind the goggles, the red
1 young mouth smiling below the mask,
the shining young curls which tne
• cap fulled to cover. He stared, then
slowly relaxed Into a smile, and went
forward.
"The talking done while I’m up, la
done by me.” stated -Stanton forcibly.
“Remember.”
"Don’t yen ever need n rest?”
queried Floyd.
Stanton opened bis Ups, and closed
’hem again without spre king Hla
trained glanoe went to sweep nis op
ponents. gaging their relative posi
tions. their probable order on tbe first
turn, and bis own best move. Tbe
successive flashlights on either side
were blinding, the atmosphere was
suffocating with tbe exhaust gasolene
sad acetyitne fumes. It was as fa
m'dar to Um as tbe odor of sawdust
to the circus dweller, aa the strong
salt wind to a habitant of the coast;
tbe unusual element lay in the hoy
beside him. Man. be refused to
acknowledge him. *
Tbe sharp crack of n pistol, the fall
W n flag, and the whole struggling,
>ock sprang forward toward
tbe first turn, wheel to wheel la
fitetb-edged contest And Stanton for
got bis mechanician.
The Mercury led the first circuit, as
asual. It was very tut. and Its pilot
took tbe chances mom prudent drivers
avoided. Still, tbs lead wee lees then
tbs car's own length, two of It* closest
rivals hanging at Its flanks, when they
passed the tumultuous grand-stand.
Jut ahead lay * again the • ."death
carve." Them was a swift movement
beside Staatos, the pendent linen
streamers floating from hla cap were
~ K&r ta each *sfde an’ofts trying To
' PM,* ‘%h£^3fir voice pierced the
bearing. “No rooin Bert the fence."
StantOn granted. The boy knew
how to rise In a speeding machine,
then, and how to take Are of his
driver, he noted. Nevertheless, he
meant to take that fence side.
And he did. As the other drivers
shut off power to take ther'dangerous
bend more slowly, Stanton shot for
j ward at unchanged speed, cut in ahead
j and swept .first around the torn, tak
j ing the inside curve. The spectators
! rose with a universal cry of constants
1 tion; the Mercnry swerved, almost
, lacing the infield fence, skidding ap
pailingly and lurching drunkenly on
. two wheels, then righted itself under
the steering-wheel in the master's
hands. And rushed on, leading by a
hundred feet.
The people cheered frantically, the
band crashed into • raucous music.
; Stanton's mechanician got up to lean
| over the back of the flying car and
' feel the rear casings,
j “You’re tryin’ to tires,” he imparted,
bis accents close to the driver's ear.
, That waa the first time that Stanton
noticed that Floyd lisped and blurred
his final “g” in moments of excite
ment. It might have sounded effemi
nate, If the voice had not been with
out a tremor. Aa it was—
At the end of the first hoar, the
bulletin boards showed the Mercury
five laps shead of its nearest rival.
And then Floyd spoke again to his
driver.
“What?" Stanton questioned, above
the noise of the motor.
“We’ve got to run in; I’m afraid of
the tear inside shoe, it won't stand
auotber skid like the last.”
i Stanton’s mouth shut In a hard
I line.
"I will not,” be stated. “Get back
in your plaoe. You can’t telL”
*T cam”
Stanton deigned no reply, sliding
pest one of the slower cars on the
back stretch. To go in meant to lose
the whole time gained. As they took
the back turn, Floyd again leaned
flver.
"Goin’ to throw away the race an’
wreck your machine, for foolishness
he Inquired. "That’s Just like you,
Ralph Stanton. You'll risk & blow-out
an’ a smash to save five minutes In a
• t^renty-four hour race. You can drive,
but you won’t use common sense.”
Something snapped under Stanton's
mask. Raging with silent fury, he
slowed down his car and swung into
the paddock gate as they came oppo
site it, thundering through to his own
oaasp.
"Fix that tire,” he commanded, as
the swarm of mechanics surrounded
them, and descended from his seat to
confront the assistant manager. "Have
you got me another mechanician,
yet? This one won’t do.*
"Why, no,” Mr. Green deprecated.
“The driver who alternates with you
wanta to keep his mechanician; be
sides, the man isn’t exactly ready to
go with you, and he couldn’t do both
shifts, anyhow. I've telephoned to
the company to find a man and rush
him here. What," he looked toward
the group around the car, where
Floyd's bronze head shone In the elec
tric light as he directed proceedings,
"what's the matter with this one?
Scared?”
"No,” conceded Stanton, grudgingly
just. “Insolent and Interfering.”
"Well, if that is all—”
Stanton turned his back upon the
speaker, recklessly and blindly angry,
past all reasoning.
When, the brief operation com
pleted. Floyd sprang up beside hia
driver for the start, Stanton surveyed
him through his goggles.
"If you are nervous about my driv
ing and my sense, you had tetter get
off now," was the grim warning. “For
I drive as I see fit. and I’m going to
make up these laps.”
“Why are you wasting time here,
then?” countered the mechanician,
practically.
The Mercury hurtled viciously down
the line of training camps and burst
out ou the track like a biasing meteor.
Stanton shifted Into high gear on the
curve, and began to drive—aa be saw
fit.
| The close-packed witnesses stood
; during most of the next hour, alters
nately applauding and shouting dis
may, climbing on seats and benches to
see The other racers gave the Mer
cury room on the turns, after the
Alan, car tried to steal an inside
eweep, and skidding, missed destruc
tion through and with Stanton by the
narrow margin of a foot.
There Was nelthci opportunity nor
wish for speech between the two who
rode the verge of death on the Mer
cury. Floyd attended steadily to his
duties; pumping oil, brushing the yel
low trackduit from the pilot's goggles
to clear his viaion for each turn,
watching the tires and the other ma
chines. But be made no protest at the
deadly methods- of his companion.
| Near the end of the second hour,
the tcream-of the klaxon sounded its
significant warning of trouble.
! “It’s us—lamps out." called the me
chanician, .after a comprehensive re
view of their machine. -
Stanton shook his head impatiently,
and kept on; deliberately passing the
paddock gate instead cf turning in.
As they shot by the grand-stand for
the second time, the klaxon sounded
again, long and Imperiously.
“Goin’ to fight the judges?" lisped
Flcyd, with careful politeness.
The driver did not'apeak or glance
froip the funnel-effect of .light and
dark into which they wera boring, but
—the tMkSf Ms breath was not gen*
tie. However, he swung into the pad
dock, on the next circuit, and halted
a brief instant to have the lamp re
lighted. Familiar with his usual
w ants, a man Tan bringing n pitcher
eV water to Stanton; who a wall o'Wed n
little, then pushed the vessel so rough
ly tewarjl bis mechanician that aome
of the Uquid-Sptesbed ever the recipi
ent and trieUed down, upon them both.
“Here.* he offered curtly.
• “Thanks," Floyd» accepted, and
drank as they bounded forward, toas
ting the tin pitcher back over hla
ntoulder, where A reporter gathered
, It up and AUt upeo a keg of oil to write
a pretty account‘of the volunteer me*
ebaaidan -whe-had made the Men
•.eury*a entry possible nd of the conse*
. guest regard of Stanton for him.
The next hour passed a trifle more
•gMotly. even Stanton wan
=■ WII»tM «m*ug m*
Halted an Inatant to Hava Hla Lampe
Relighted.
VUu some conssTVatismT peraapr ne
acknowledged mentally that no car
built would stand such viciously gra
ding work for twenty-four consecutive
hours. But he kept the lead gained,
for all that, and a pace like the long
swoop of a swallow.
“Car coming out of the paddock.
Hundred and eightieth lap. Car
stopped around the bend,** Floyd re
ported, at intervals. Otherwise there
was mute attention to business on the
part of both men.
"Signal,” Stanton abruptly ordered,
at last, aB they rushed across the
stretch of track between the grand
stand and the training-camps.
Floyd obediently rose in his place,
raising his arms above his head in the
accepted signal to their men to stand
ready for the car’s entrance. On the
next circuit Stanton turned into the
paddock and came to a stop before
the Mercury’s tent.
Let out, he directed, and himself
left his seat.
The two men who alternated were
■waiting to relieve the two who de
scended from the machine. The work
men swarmed around to fill tanks and
give swift inspection, and the fretting
car sped back to the track.
Left opposite each other in the flick
ering glare of the swinging electric
lamps, driver and mechanician stood
for a moment, weary, car-stiff, and
still tense. Stanton unclasped his
mask with a Jerk, took n step toward
the tent, then turned toward hiB as
sistant.
"The three hours are up,” h* ob
served roughly. “I suppose you leave
me.”
"Why do you suppose that? Are
you through with me?" Floyd asked,
with studied quietnesa
“I made the offer to any man who
would go for the first three hours.
The time is up; you’re free So get
your money from Mr. Green, and
leave."
Floyd took off his own mask and
bared his white, steadfast face and
tired eyes to the other's gase.
"I entered for the race, or for as
much of it as you want me,” be cor
rected. “Until you qu't. or find a sub
stitute you like better. I'm with you.”
They looked at each other.
"Go rest, then. There is coffee in
side,” hade Stanton, and swung on his
heel.
At the entrance to his tent he was
met by the exultant assistant mana
ger.
"I’ve got you a mechanician, Stan
ton!” he exclaimed jubilantly. "I tel
ephoned our fix to headquarters, and
Jack Rupert la coming down—the
chief teeter at the factory, you know,
who used to race with the chief him
self. He *phoned that he wouldn’t see
the Mercury thrown out but to tell
you he was going to cancel his life
insurance policy first so be would not
be accused of suicide for the benefit
of his heirs. Funny chap! He’ll be
hers before you go on the track
again.”
"What.for?" demanded Stanton. "If
( kill my mechanician, I kill my car
and myself—I don’t need two men.
and I’ve got one."
"But I thought you said—" began
the amased Mr. Green.
“I was wrong. ’Phone Rupert that
I’ll keep Floyd. Now, I’d like to get
some rest.”
The assistant manager stepped
aside from the entrance, confounded.
CHAPTER II.
The Risk and the Lady.
Two hours later, Stanton emerged
from bis camp and strolled toward
the paddock exit. It was after two
o'clock in the morning: the dark arch
of star-set sky overhead, the black
emptiness of the central field except
for the line of tents, contrasted oddly
wiih the glistening white track where
the meteor-bright cars circled tireless
ly to the accompanying monotone at
many voices, varied by the occasional
wail of the official klaxon. One ma
chine was out of the race, after going
through the fence; a heap of disor
dered metal which men were striving
frantically to restore to activity, while
in the illuminated hospital tent its
driver and mechanism were undergo
ing a kindred process of rehabilita
tion. Other cars went in and out
from their camps, for oil. for gaso
lene, for tires and minor repairs—for
all the countless wants of a racing
machine. Stanton looked for the Mer
cury, then, satisfied, erased the track
and entered the space before the
grand-stand.
Along the edge of the cement prom
enade were parked a row of automo
biles whose owners preferred to wit
ness the race from their own cars
rather than from the tiers of seats be
hind. Past them Stanton turned,
avoiding the fire of attention and curi
osity he would draw by crossing the I
lighted space where recognition must
follow. He was going to the restau
rant in the interior of the stand.
But aa he passed,* big white tour
ing car at the end ef the row. a wont- I
an leaned from the shadow of the tog.
“I beg your pardon." she sum
moned. her tram composed and rather
imperious. • ' i
The apology veiled n command.
Stanton halted.
“Ithdamr he iwsponded. astonished
PARK
'f'
r * •
.1 lillllD TIME HHtRAWTEED T[l 1U
! A TloUier Praises the Boy Scout
Idea.
\ \ - '
In the May Woman's Home Com
! pui.ipn, a mother gives her personal
[experiences with her troublesome boy
lei .weive or fourteen years of age
| a ml tells his connection with the Boy
it-Cuutsof America made a better
llioy of him. "The twelve
i points of the Scout law.” says the
! mother, in her article, are
1 1. A Scout Is trustworthy
I. A Scout is loyal
A Scout is helpful
J. A Scout is friendly
•. A Scout is courteous
<>. A Scout is kind
7. A Scout is obedient
s. A Scout is cheerful
| >.i. A Scout is thrifty
1J. A Scout is brave
11. A Scout is clean
12. A Scout is reverent.
jj -.fter telling how her son entered
[the movement, she goes on to siy:
“I had hoped my son would he all
[these things,and had so admonished
l,im. But these things are Scout laws
i ind you. not advice and admonition
«.r hopes backed by maternal plead
i igs and fears, but laws self imposed
• hen the scout takes his oath; for in
raking the oath he promises to ob<j
these laws. That settled it. If the
.'■cout movement stood for these
things, and inspired and exacted
i hem I* was with it, heart and
soul.'
••From the start the whole thing
<tas a great success. The Boy, for
one. benefited immensly by the
association. It wQuId take me too!
oog to tell you how much, i only
’ell you humbly that some of the
faults in 1dm whfch l had worked
• ith him for years, such as selfish
»,. ss, shiftlessness, occasional coward
i e. and .sometimes irreverence, began
to dissappear. and without fret or;
i notion. A good Scout had none of
these faults: they are against the
Scout law. that was all.
-Have you a boy of your own? It
you have, I think you cannot do
better than to look into the Scout
movement. He is sure to hear of it
and if he is anvwhere near twelve, or
Hiirteen, or fourteen, he is pretty
sure to want to join it. I beg you,
t;*i. not to put any thing in his way;
and then, further. I beg of you to
Peep your hands off. Your part is to
1 »t*n when he talks to yon about It:
i » aprove: to have a good supper
v siting for liim when he comes back
lrom his scout tram pa, and to con
tinue to say your prayers at night for
him." •
Will Sc jwnin informs us that his
auio business has been very satisfac
tory up to the present, and while the
sale qf horseless carriage^ has been
somewljg^ slow, owing , to tlie dry
s vwll causing conservativness oh the
14rtof would-be purchasers, jet the
r-pair and livery business lias been !
very good He is well pleased with
H iye oufclaok so far. He is nicely en
MOMid in his, new home adjoining |
bis garage and takes a roseate view 11
Grand Colony Excursion
For Ladiei and Gentlemen
Will be given Through the Auspices of the Amer
ican Townsite Co. of San Antonio from Missouri
Kansas, Oklanome and Nebraska to Texas.
|
A town lot and five acre tracts will be sold for fruit and
truck farms, summer and winter homes, for three hundred
dollars; ten dollars down and ten dollars per month, no inter
I est or taxes until paid for.
Special cars will be in service, a banquet will be given at
Hotel LaSalle, free oyster and clam bake will be served in
grove near Beach.
Fishing and sailing will beat your pleasure at Seadrift
and Port O'Connor.
This trip will be the event of your life. Ever} body come
and bring your friends. Trains will leave Omaha and other
points in Nebraska June 18th, Kansas City June if, at 9 a.
m., Oklahoma City and Muskogee June 18, and intermediate
points- Route and tickets on the Frisco to Port O'Connor.
Under all circutnstahces connect with the Frisco.
For further information address.
DOCTO* C. I, HUTCHASON,
Savoy Hotel, Kansas City, Mo.
Summer Tourist Round Trip
Fares to the Pacific Coast
From Loup City to California 62.10, to north Pacific
Coast points 6210, to California one way via north Pacific
Coast points 77.10. Tickets on sale June 1 to Sept. 30 in
clusive. Final return limit October 3i, i9i2.
In addition to the abcve the following low fares will be in
effect from I*oup City to Cale/ornia 67.OS. to north Pacific Coast points
57.OS, to California on* ycay r•*> North Pacific Coast points 72 OS
Tickets on sale to California June 12 to 20; final return
limit August 31. August 29 tu Sept 4; final return
limit October 31.
Tickets on sale to N **1h Fitlfic Cent Fcirls Ju»3idto6: final retur
limit July 2!. June 27 to July 5; final return limit August 27. July 11»
I2.6n*l return limit Sept. 1L October 12 14 and 15: final return limit No
vember 15.
Tickets on sals to California onr way via north pacizic coast
points same dates and with same limits as to both California and north
Pacigc Coaat points.
Unio Pacific
Standard Road of the West
Protected by Electric Block Signals.
Excellent Dining Cara oa all trains.
For and information relative to (area,.
routes, etc., call on or address
G. W. CoiLiwixsT, Ageut
1
